Geology Field Project at Brandywine Creek State Park
Teacher Guide
Grade 6-8
Purpose
The students will use real data to understand the relationship between stream velocity and changes in stream elevation.
Enduring Understanding
Earth’s story is one of continuous but not always gradual change in Earth’s rocks, atmosphere, oceans, land, and life.
Essential Question
What clues do rocks hold about ways and rates that landscapes change over time?
What changes in matter and transformations of energy control Earth’s processes?
Investigation Question:
What is the relationship between steam velocity and changes in stream elevation?
Student Objectives
• Students will analyze photographs to make predictions about stream velocity with 95% accuracy.
• Students will graph and analyze data about stream velocity and slope in order to recognize the relationship between the two with 95% accuracy.
• Students will use latitude, longitude, and elevation data the students will understand the changing topography of the Brandywine Valley. These data coordinates will be plotted on the map with 95% accuracy.
• Students will display understanding of the guided questions by integrating the concepts of velocity, stream slope, and underlying rock type by explaining how stream valleys change over time with 95% accuracy.
PA Standard
3.1.7 Unifying Themes
A. Explain the parts of a simple system and their relationship to each other.
• Describe a system as a group of related parts that work together to achieve a desired result
(e.g., digestive system).
• Explain the importance of order in a system.
B. Describe the use of models as an application of scientific or technological concepts.
• Identify and describe different types of models and their functions.
C.Explain systems by outlining a system’s relevant parts and its purpose and/or designing a model that illustrates its function.
C. Identify patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in science and technology.
• Identify repeating structure patterns.
• Identify and describe patterns that occur in physical systems
(e.g., construction, manufacturing,
transportation), informational
systems and biochemical-related
systems.
3.2.7 Inquiry Design
A. Explain and apply scientific and technological knowledge.
• Answer “What if” questions based on observation, inference or prior knowledge or experience.
• Explain how new information may change existing theories and practice.
B. Apply process knowledge to make and interpret observations.
• Measure materials using a variety of scales.
• Describe relationships by making inferences and predictions.
• Communicate, use space / time relationships, define operationally, raise questions, formulate hypotheses, test and experiment,
• Design controlled experiments, recognize variables, and manipulate variables.
• Interpret data, formulate models, design models, and produce solutions.
3.4.7 Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics
C. Identify and explain the principles of force and motion.
• Describe the motion of an object based on its position, direction and speed.
3.5 .7Earth Science
A. Describe earth features and processes.
• Describe the processes involved in the creation of geologic features (e.g., folding, faulting, volcanism, sedimentation) and that these processes seen today (e.g., erosion, weathering crustal plate movement) are similar to those in the past.
• Describe the processes that formed Pennsylvania and Delaware geologic structures and resources including mountains, glacial formations, water gaps and ridges.
• Explain how the rock cycle affected rock formations in the state of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
• Distinguish between examples of rapid surface changes
(e.g., landslides, earthquakes) and
slow surface changes
(e.g., weathering).
3.7.7 Technological Devices
B. Use appropriate instruments and apparatus to study materials.
• Select appropriate instruments to measure the size, weight, shape and temperature of living and non-living objects.
• Apply knowledge of different measurement systems to measure and record objects’ properties.
Key Vocabulary Words:
Velocity Latitude Longitude topographic map
Slope/gradient metamorphic sedimentary stream valley
Streambed elevation seduction zone piedmont
Time
3 Class periods (90 min each)
Materials (needed to gather information on the field trip)
Topographic map of Brandywine Creek State Park
Stopwatch
Measuring Tape
String
Fishing bobber
Handheld GPS (optional)
Procedure (if you choose to go on field trip yourself)
1. Measure out a piece of string 5 meter in length
2. Attach the string to a stick and bobber on the other side
3. Pick three locations from the topographic map that are at different elevations
4. Go to the first location (if you chose to, you may use the handheld GPS to find the latitude and longitude of your location)
5. Place the bobber in the water
6. Measure how long it take the bobber to travel 5 meters in length
7. Record your time
8. Repeat the previous step 4 more times
9. Repeat steps 4- 8
How we gathered data on our field trip to Brandywine
We chose three locations at different elevations. We timed the amount of seconds it took the bobber to travel a distance of 5 meters, at the first location. We repeated this step 4 more times. After that we proceeded to walk downstream on to our second location and to the third location where we completed the same activity. Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 3 Activity 4
Teacher Guide
Grade 6-8
Purpose
The students will use real data to understand the relationship between stream velocity and changes in stream elevation.
Enduring Understanding
Earth’s story is one of continuous but not always gradual change in Earth’s rocks, atmosphere, oceans, land, and life.
Essential Question
What clues do rocks hold about ways and rates that landscapes change over time?
What changes in matter and transformations of energy control Earth’s processes?
Investigation Question:
What is the relationship between steam velocity and changes in stream elevation?
Student Objectives
• Students will analyze photographs to make predictions about stream velocity with 95% accuracy.
• Students will graph and analyze data about stream velocity and slope in order to recognize the relationship between the two with 95% accuracy.
• Students will use latitude, longitude, and elevation data the students will understand the changing topography of the Brandywine Valley. These data coordinates will be plotted on the map with 95% accuracy.
• Students will display understanding of the guided questions by integrating the concepts of velocity, stream slope, and underlying rock type by explaining how stream valleys change over time with 95% accuracy.
PA Standard
3.1.7 Unifying Themes
A. Explain the parts of a simple system and their relationship to each other.
• Describe a system as a group of related parts that work together to achieve a desired result
(e.g., digestive system).
• Explain the importance of order in a system.
B. Describe the use of models as an application of scientific or technological concepts.
• Identify and describe different types of models and their functions.
C.Explain systems by outlining a system’s relevant parts and its purpose and/or designing a model that illustrates its function.
C. Identify patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in science and technology.
• Identify repeating structure patterns.
• Identify and describe patterns that occur in physical systems
(e.g., construction, manufacturing,
transportation), informational
systems and biochemical-related
systems.
3.2.7 Inquiry Design
A. Explain and apply scientific and technological knowledge.
• Answer “What if” questions based on observation, inference or prior knowledge or experience.
• Explain how new information may change existing theories and practice.
B. Apply process knowledge to make and interpret observations.
• Measure materials using a variety of scales.
• Describe relationships by making inferences and predictions.
• Communicate, use space / time relationships, define operationally, raise questions, formulate hypotheses, test and experiment,
• Design controlled experiments, recognize variables, and manipulate variables.
• Interpret data, formulate models, design models, and produce solutions.
3.4.7 Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics
C. Identify and explain the principles of force and motion.
• Describe the motion of an object based on its position, direction and speed.
3.5 .7Earth Science
A. Describe earth features and processes.
• Describe the processes involved in the creation of geologic features (e.g., folding, faulting, volcanism, sedimentation) and that these processes seen today (e.g., erosion, weathering crustal plate movement) are similar to those in the past.
• Describe the processes that formed Pennsylvania and Delaware geologic structures and resources including mountains, glacial formations, water gaps and ridges.
• Explain how the rock cycle affected rock formations in the state of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
• Distinguish between examples of rapid surface changes
(e.g., landslides, earthquakes) and
slow surface changes
(e.g., weathering).
3.7.7 Technological Devices
B. Use appropriate instruments and apparatus to study materials.
• Select appropriate instruments to measure the size, weight, shape and temperature of living and non-living objects.
• Apply knowledge of different measurement systems to measure and record objects’ properties.
Key Vocabulary Words:
Velocity Latitude Longitude topographic map
Slope/gradient metamorphic sedimentary stream valley
Streambed elevation seduction zone piedmont
Time
3 Class periods (90 min each)
Materials (needed to gather information on the field trip)
Topographic map of Brandywine Creek State Park
Stopwatch
Measuring Tape
String
Fishing bobber
Handheld GPS (optional)
Procedure (if you choose to go on field trip yourself)
1. Measure out a piece of string 5 meter in length
2. Attach the string to a stick and bobber on the other side
3. Pick three locations from the topographic map that are at different elevations
4. Go to the first location (if you chose to, you may use the handheld GPS to find the latitude and longitude of your location)
5. Place the bobber in the water
6. Measure how long it take the bobber to travel 5 meters in length
7. Record your time
8. Repeat the previous step 4 more times
9. Repeat steps 4- 8
How we gathered data on our field trip to Brandywine
We chose three locations at different elevations. We timed the amount of seconds it took the bobber to travel a distance of 5 meters, at the first location. We repeated this step 4 more times. After that we proceeded to walk downstream on to our second location and to the third location where we completed the same activity.
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4